Correct me if I'm wrong:
Isn't it true that the higher the spring #, the more battering you're doing to your gun technically. Especially in the wrong places. By this I mean that with heavier springs such as 18.5# and up the slower it will recoil the slide which does alleviate the battering on the frame and slide abutments. But heavier springs also return to battery quicker than lighter springs such as 16# and the more it batters and slams into the slide stop crosspin. Heavier springs can also hinder in proper feeding since they move into battery quicker. Think about it. The slide and frame abutments and areas were designed to take the abuse of contact, the barrel lugs, feet, and crosspin weren't. The lighter springs (16#), recoil faster, but also don't return to battery as quick as heavier ones. Besides reducing the slide stop/lug battering, it can also aid or help in magazine feeding by giving the magazine follower to push up the next round in time.
Also, isn't it true that if you want to slow down the recoil backwards and reduce slide/frame battering, couldn't you just replace the firing pin stop with one of those from EGW with a sqare bottom radius. Replies are much appreciated my fellow gurus.

18.5# all the way with an occasional 17#. If you did a poll and there has one been done recently the overwhelming agreement was for the 18.5# spring. For example: One of the most popular semi-custom 1911s, The Wilson CQB and Wilson Protector each ship with an 18.5# recoil spring. When I'm at the range I use a Wilson Shok-Buff along with a Wolff 18.5 recoil spring. I shoot at least 20.000 rounds of 230gr. FMJ (mostly AE) through various 5" 1911s each year and have found this to be the best combination. On a carry gun the recoil spring weight remains the same except I don't include a Shok-Buff just in case it fragments and gums up the works.

Quoted: 18.5# all the way with an occasional 17#. If you did a poll and there has one been done recently the overwhelming agreement was for the 18.5# spring. For example: One of the most popular semi-custom 1911s, The Wilson CQB and Wilson Protector each ship with an 18.5# recoil spring. When I'm at the range I use a Wilson Shok-Buff along with a Wolff 18.5 recoil spring. I shoot at least 20.000 rounds of 230gr. FMJ (mostly AE) through various 5" 1911s each year and have found this to be the best combination. On a carry gun the recoil spring weight remains the same except I don't include a Shok-Buff just in case it fragments and gums up the works.

I understand that more people like 18.5# in polls done on here.  But what if the 18.5# springs do cause more wear and tear on our guns becuase of what I stated.  I'm asking this question because I've been hearing a number of people myself switch from 18.5 back to 16 because of my stated facts. To me it seems like there is almost a trend the other way,  or so I've heard from a few. Actually, some smith named John Travis says something along these lines.  I'd just like to get some opionions on here.

As in most engineering exercises, there are tradeoffs.

Would you rather have increased reliability or the longest possible frame life?  If you choose the latter, use shok-buffs and soft loads.  For a handgun that might be called upon for self-defense, I'd go with a stronger recoil spring.